88 yourfamily.co.zaIF YOU FEEL LIKE A FRAUD, YOU’RE NOT
ALONE. IT’S TIME TO KICK THE HABIT AND
BEAT IMPOSTER SYNDROME FOR GOOD
I
f you received a promotion, how would you react? Would
you think ‘About time’, or panic because it surely means
everyone will discover you’re a fraud? If it’s the latter, you’re
one of the many women who suffer from imposter syndrome,
a psychological phenomenon where people believe they’re in
over their head and don’t deserve their success.HOLDING ON BY A THREAD
Imposter syndrome is common among successful women –
even high-profile celebrities like Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep
have spoken about feeling like a fraud. Why? According to
Dr Valerie Young, author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful
Women (Penguin Random House), we’re overwhelmed. ‘Today,
it’s an uphill battle to stay on top of your workload,’ she says.
The rapidly accelerated pace of life – accentuated by emails,
texts, Twitter and Facebook – means we’re expected to think,
decide and do faster than ever. ‘It’s harder to feel competent if
you’re overwhelmed,’ says Valerie. ‘You feel less articulate, less
decisive and less focused.’ When you do manage to keep all the
balls in the air, you imagine it must have been a fluke.
Imposter syndrome starts early – the road to success is
often paved with difficult choices, from finding the right
university degree to deciding on a job offer. ‘These decision
points are where imposter feelings are triggered,’ says Valerie.
And, she adds, as women continue to aim higher, the greater
the chance for their internal critic to whisper, ‘Who do you think
you are?’Stop
comparing
yourself to
others!Don’t just talk. Act!
Push your boundaries.
Ask questions.
Find a mentor.
Talk yourself up.
Avoid negative people.
Keep physically fit.
Be in the know.
Act professionally.
Be aware of your
body language.10
S
TE
PS (^) T
O
TOP-LEVEL
CONFIDENCE
THE